Pennsylvania State Police patrol troopers at all stations in the commonwealth will be wearing body cameras to record interactions with the public as they respond to calls.
In addition, more than 1,400 state police patrol vehicles have received upgraded mobile video recorders with improved technology.
Colonel Christopher L. Paris, commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, made the announcement during a news conference Thursday. In the summer of 2023, officials reported the initiative to outfit all of its troops with body-worn cameras and to upgrade the mobile video recorders in patrol vehicles.
The agency has deployed 2,000 body-worn cameras that 3,000 patrol troopers will use on a daily basis, Paris said. To save money, state police opted to put a bank of cameras at each station for troopers to take out and turn back in while they are working instead of giving one to each trooper.
“The Pennsylvania State Police, like all law enforcement agencies, faces more scrutiny than ever from a public that rightfully demands interactions with troopers to be safe, respectful, and constitutional,” Paris said. “Body-worn cameras are a critical step forward in meeting that demand.”
The cameras, which capture real-time audio and video, protect both civilians and troopers, he said. They serve as an objective witness to public interactions and can help to clarify what occurred in contentious or high-stress situations. The technology also can help to disprove any false allegations of misconduct.
Civilians tend to remain calm and respectful toward police when they know they are being recorded, Paris said.
The footage also can be used for training and policy development, Paris said.
The initiative was completed ahead of schedule and on budget.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: State police troopers to wear body cameras while responding to calls